enrobage
Page approvedn. m. · concrete cover (US) · cover (UK, “nominal cover” in the standards)
Definition
Épaisseur de béton qui sépare les armatures de la surface extérieure de l'élément. Elle protège l'acier de la corrosion et du feu, et assure son adhérence au béton.
The thickness of concrete between the reinforcement and the outer surface of the element. It protects the steel from corrosion and fire, and lets the steel and the concrete work together.
Diagram
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRMerci de vérifier l'enrobage des armatures avant le coulage de la dalle.
ENPlease check the concrete cover on the reinforcement before the slab pour.
Spoken (standard)
FRLes ferrailleurs ont posé des cales pour tenir l'enrobage.
ENThe rebar crew set spacers to hold the cover.
Spoken (informal)
FROn voit les fers, l'enrobage est pas bon, il faut reprendre.
ENYou can see the bars, the cover is wrong, it has to be redone.
Nuances and pitfalls
Enrobage (n. m.) is not recouvrement. The enrobage is the thickness of concrete around the steel. The recouvrement is the length over which two bars overlap to carry the load from one to the other (lap or splice). The two words look alike: recouvrement should not be translated as cover.
Not to be confused with enrobé, the site word for road and car-park asphalt (asphalt in the US, tarmac or asphalt in the UK). Same root, different subject.
Related terms
armatureferraillagebéton armélongrineRegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
- Diagram : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 7 Oct 2026
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